Would you recommend a Ball Python as a good starter snake?

I realize not all BPs are alike and we all have different experiences, but I'm curious if after caring for BPs if people would recommend them as a good first snake - especially those who have/had other species of snakes to compare to.

i would very much recommend it

Tigergenesis, I would recommend a BP as a good starter snake. As long as you know that is eatting on it own free will. They can be a little frustaring if they aren't eatting. I started off with a Corn snake, and have enjoyed aving my BP more than my Corn, but I still love them both the same though. But yes a BP is a very good starter snake.

i would advise a kingsnake as a first snake.

Totally recommend a CB BP as a starter snake. I started with a corn and quickly added a BP. The corn is a sweaty, but I totally love the BP.

ken

Ken...do your gerbils have permanent ulcers having to share a house with both a cat AND a python??? LOL

Tiger, I can't speak from personal experience yet, but from everything I've read this past year, I would recommend a bp (cbb) to anyone that I thought was a mature and patient person, willing to do the research and patient enough to handle the occassional issues like non-feeding.

My first snake was a BP....and I had unusual success with him, lol. Even still, I feel there are more suitable choices out there for a beginner. BPs can be picky eaters, causing the new owner much unnecessary stress (what do you think is the most common question asked on reptile message boards? "Why isn't my ball python eating?") and too often unhealthy WC specimens are sold at very low prices that intice a newbie to think "Oh its cheap, it must be really good to begin with!"......IMO a Corn is a much better starter snake.

I don't think I can choose either of the options here, because I might well recommend a BP to one person and not to another. It also makes a difference where I'm located, as it's not legal to keep corns here without an educational license. I'd certainly recommend a ball over a bcc or a burm, but I might well suggest a (Cali, 'cause they're legal) kingsnake or another colubrid instead. On the other hand, balls tend to be very docile and obviously don't musk, so I would recommend a ball as a good snake to introduce someone who's afraid of snakes to.

Well, beings Atreyu was my first snake, I'd say yes. Once I learned about the fasting, and husbandry, he's been a breeze.

I got my Ball first then a little while later I got my Cali King. I have had nothing but enjoyment from my Ball Python but the king granted he is still a baby, still likes to musk and poop alot and is more squirmy than the Ball. I would have to lean towards the Ball Python due to the fact that they are a slower moving and a more docile animal.

I would totally recomend it, provided the person does research first and joins this forum :mrgreen:

I agree with Marla. It'd depend on where the BP was from, for one thing. I'd never recomend a WC bp to anyone just starting out (or even someone experienced, heh.) A cbb proven feeder with records to back him up would be a good starter.
However, since getting my bci, I'd be somewhat tempted to offer that as an idea for a good starter snake, in the big-snake category. My bci has not refused a feeding and is very gentle, not at all head shy. Yet, I am sure that there are bcis out there which are skittish, as well as bps who are less skittish than a bci. But I am pretty sure that boas have better feeding responses. As long as the person realizes how big the snake gets and how long it lives, that's the main thing. I think that people should keep smaller snakes, like garters, for a few years before getting a bigger snake, to make sure snakekeeping isfor them.

Judy,

I wouldn't say that the gerbils are nervous. Just exceptionally well behaved. : )

All our BPs are very gentle beasts. One of our sons has a Striped Coastal Cali King that would likely intimidate the hell out of anyone as a first snake being so fast and territorial (well cage-suspicious at least). As a first snake it would be great to be able to truly hook someone up with something whose behavior and eating patterns are known and established, not that any of us want to part with any of our own . . .

I agree with Marla, very well put.
Rusty

My frist snake was a red tail and I had more problems out of her than any of my pythons. Wolfman said it best They really do eat on there own free will.

I think I am gonna have to say probably not. They are great snakes, but they have more needs than say a corn. I wouldnt tell some one not to get one, but if they asked what I'd recomend Id have to say corn snake. They are a very hardy snake and are a bit more forgiving to mistakes. Pythons tend to go off feed, stress out fairly easily, and have shedding problems if your humidity isnt just right. (they are my fav snake though)
just my humble opinion...

It really depends on the amount of research the person is willing to put into it. Not to mention the money, time, and care as well. Provided the person is doing it for him/her and not for the cool factor, then I suppose someone could get any snake.

i would recomend a ball as long as you know its eating.. i got mine from a local crappy pet store. He was friendly and not as shy as the others but when i asked if it is eating well they are like " yea ... yea.... they all are eating good" i should have gone somewhere else because mine is a pain it barely ever eats. Its only eaten twice since early january.

It is a bit skinny but is so well tempered... i dont think i could get it to bite even if i tried. Ball pythons are great for a first pet if they eat i get so mad when he doesnt eat

Well, I thought it would be interesting to see what BP owners would say to this poll. I have to agree that if someone will do the research, buy CB and make sure it's eating then I'd say go for it. However, a lot of the time (particularly on other forums) you get posts that just say: what snake do you recommend for a beginner. And you have no way of knowing whether they will research or be sure they are eating and are captive bred. You can tell them, but you never know if they will listen.

my opinion regarding a first snake is that you need one requiring barely no maitenance at all. my first snake was a florida kingsnake, required little to no humidity and shed perfectly, never missed a meal, and lived out his entire life-span with nothing but a heating pad, newspaper, water dish, and a hide. when you say a beginner snake, you must first answer the question... "beginner snake for who?". a 12 year old would be much happier with something that didn't require fiddling with temps and humidity, all they want to do is handle it anyway. a more mature person just getting into herps could easily maintain a happy, healthy bp.

My Bp IS my first snake, and I dont feel they have difficult husbandry needs (2 hides, a water dish,newspaper, and a rubbermaid enclosure, one human heat pad connected to a lamp dimmer,thermometer/hygrometer) pretty simple stuff. BUT what makes them better for some than others is their timidity,and tendency to not eat regularly.
Ive found myself on several occasions keeping myself buisy doing other things because I wanted to handle my snake but I knew it was best to leave him alone. If it wasnt for you guys here saying over and over that BPs eat on their schedule not yours, I might have ulcers right now,and to be honest it still bothers me that he hasnt eaten in two weeks. So as a first snake there are definitely pros and cons.